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PEOPLE vs Michael Maguing Y Saligumba

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, appellee, vs. MICHAEL MAGUING y SALIGUMBA, appellant.

G.R. No. 144090 | 2003-06-26

D E C I S I O N

PANGANIBAN, J.:

When the identity of the appellant is not established beyond reasonable doubt, acquittal necessarily follows. Conviction for a crime rests on the strength of the prosecution's evidence, never on the weakness of that of the defense.

The Case

Michael Maguing y Saligumba appeals the December 1, 1997 Decision[1] of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Antipolo, Rizal (Branch 74) in Criminal Case No. 93-9911. The RTC found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder, as follows:

"WHEREFORE, this Court finds the accused Michael Maguing GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the offense of Murder charged in the...